By Rebecca Wood
Picture provided by Rebecca Wood
Susquehanna University’s environmental research facilities-including the solar array, campus garden, beehives, and more-are a beautiful way to minimize the campus’ impact on the environment. You are able to access this beautiful scenery by taking a walk past Sassafras parking lot. Signs are there to point you towards the solar array, the Campus Garden and greenhouse, Benny’s Beehives, and the Freshwater Institute which are all part of the Center for Environmental Education and Research.
The Solar Array consists of 14 acres of solar panels and it provides up to 30% of the campus’s electricity. Susquehanna University releases a flock of sheep to work as lawnmowers within the solar array to further cut down our usage of greenhouse gases.
The campus garden consists of raised beds as well as in-ground plots, and a greenhouse. Student employees are in charge of the upkeep of the garden but it is open to any students looking for volunteer hours. All fruits and vegetables grown in our campus garden are donated to local organizations.
Benny’s Beehive consists of five beehives and they are student-managed by members of the Beekeeping Club on campus. Members of the club are able to learn more about bees and how to keep them, as well as how to harvest honey. The honey collected is used across campus and as a fundraiser for the beekeeping club.
The Freshwater Research Institute is another part of the Center for Environmental Education and Research. Students can be part of the research staff, who monitor, restore, and protect the health of Pennsylvania’s freshwater. The Institute is largely funded by the RK Mellon Foundation. There are a plethora of opportunities to work within the institute, some of which include working at the freshwater lab, learning how to identify fish species, publishing your own research, and so much more. There is a summer opportunity for students to work with a team within the Freshwater Institute.
Whether you are interested in environmental science or you just enjoy nature, exploring the Center for Environmental Education and Research is a great and relaxing way to spend part of your day.
